Concrete-molding apparatus.



No.l 760,446. v PATENTED MAY 24,1904. Gr. M. GRAHAM. CONCRETE MOLDING APPARATUS.'

APPLIOA'IIOH FILED SEPT: 11. 1903. N0 MODEL. 2 EHBIZTS--SHBET'1.`

www mnmuunnmm lll l c ummm Perma co.. mow-mma., wAsnmow D c No. 700,440. PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

0. M.r GRAHAM.

CONCRETEMO'LDING APPARATUS.

APPLIoATIoN FILED 001213.11. 1003. No MODEL. 2 sums-SHEET z.

AHF MI Allin" lillL. IINIII i1. am. I

. l v 'v UNITED STATES Patented May 24, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CONCRETE-MOLDING APPARATUS.

y SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,446 dated May24, 1904,

Application iiled September 11, 1903. Serial No. 172,722. (No model.)

To atZZ whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. GRAHAM, a oitizenof the United States of America, and a residentofChicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Ini-.provements in Concrete- Molding Apparatus, off'which the following is a specilipression, so that the same may be easily and conveniently removed from the press, all as `will hereinafter more fully appear and be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

. In the accompanying drawings, illustrative of the present invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on line fr ai, FigJQ, of a concrete molding-press embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with parts in section on line .f1/n', Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section of the central portion of the press at line fr m2, Fig. 4. Fig. fi is anonlarged detail transverse section of thc same at linea/'3nd, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail plan View of one end of the mold-pallet- Fig. 6 is a similar view of one end of the mold-pallet carrier.

Similar numerals of reference indicato like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, l represents the supporting-base of the press, having pcdestals 2 at each end of the counterpart operating* shafts of the press.

3 represents upper and lower pairs of lonf gitudinal tie-rods for connecting the pedestals 2 aforesaid together and forming guides for the mold-plungers hereinafter set forth.

4 is a central transversely-arranged sta-` tionary moldmember secured to the main base, with its respective side surfaces constituting a bed-plate upon which the reciprocating plungers of the press mechanism has movement. Such mold member is recessed out centrally along the transverse length of the press to forni a receiving-cavity for the mold-pallet and pallet-carrier hereinafter described and which parts constitute the bottom for the mold-cavity or chamber of the press.

5 is a stationary vertical plate extension at one-end of the aforesaid member adapted to constitute a stationary end head for the transversely-extending and horizontally-arranged mold-cavity of the press. u

6 represents a pair of opposed counterpart reciprocating plungers, upon which a rectilinear motion is imposed by guide extensions 7 on said plungers, having sliding engage- Vnient with the tie-rods 3, before described. `The opposed faces of said plungers constitute the respective vertical side walls of the moldcavity, and in the present invention such faces or Walls of the plungers are provided with convex projections 8 along the midheight of said Vertical faces, which are adapted to form concavedel'nessions in the opposite sides of the concrete fence-post or other article and in the pressing operation of said plungers to evenly distribute the pressure throughout the whole of the concrete mixture within the mold-cavity and attain uniform density or bond in the same, with a corrosponding iilcreased strength in the linished article.

9 is an upper plate or platen arranged centrally above the plungers 6 and forming the top wall or cover of the mold-cavity of the press. In thc present invention such plate or platen has avertical movement to and from the mold-cavity and a reciprocating-movement longitudinal of the press to cover and crank-pins 11, havingpitman connections 12 with `the respective press-'plungers 6 and 'adapted to impart simultaneous reciprocation tosaid plungers to andfrom each other.

" In the present invention the yokes of the pitman connections 12 aforesaid are formed with elongated bearing orifices 13 for the crank-pins 11, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for the purpose of allowing lost motion between such parts and so that the press plungers during the continued operation of the press mechanism will have periods of rest at the forward and backward positions of said plungers. In the one case such period of rest aids in the setting of the concrete mass while held in a confined positiony within the mold-cavity and in the other case such period of rest allows the mold-cavity to remain fully open for a corresponding period of time to permit of a convenient and effective filling of the same with the concrete mixture. The horizontal arrangement ofthe mold-cavity in this connection is of material assistance in `such 'lling operation by affording a filling-opening the greatest length of such mold-cavity.

14 represents gear-wheels, imposing simultaneous rotation on the operating-shafts 10 aforesaid. A

15 is the mold-pallet or bottom plate, fitting the recess of the aforesaid mold member 4, with and constitute asupport for the concrete work or other article in the handling of the same subsequent to the molding or pressing thereof.

' 16 is the pallet-carrier, also fitting the aforesaid recess in the mold member 4 and adapted to slide transversely into place therein or to bev removed therefrom in a like manner and in either case carrying the mold-pallet 15 and the concrete fence-post or other article when the same is superimposed o'n said pallet.

17 is a vertical plate extension at the end of the pallet-carrier 16, adapted to constitute the other end-closure head for the mold-cavity of the press. l

Vith the use of the present press for molding composite fence-posts in which the base of the post is formed by a mass of concrete, in which in turn a central iron bar or core is embedded and projects from said mass to constitute the upper and superior portion of the fence-post, the mold-pallet 15 will be formed mold-'pallets 15 will be' employed, so as not to delay the output of the press and so that the same pallet may he used with a post during the subsequent seasoning of the concrete article after it has been formed in the press.

2O represents carriages having a horizontal sliding movement upon the upper pair of tierods 3, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

21 represents vertical extensions on the before-described upper plate or platen 9 of the mold-cavity and which extensions are adapted to have a limited vertical sliding movement in the carriages 20 aforesaid.

22 is a transverse shaft journaled in the carriages 2O and provided with aseries of eccentric or crank pins 23, which are adapted to have operative engagement with the upper ends of the vertical extensions 21 aforesaid, so that with a partial rotation of the shaft 22 in one direction or the other an upward or a downward movement, as the case may be, will be imparted to the top platen 9 of the mold-cavity through the medium of such crank-pins andthe extensions 21v aforesaid.

24 is an operating-arm on the shaft 22, operatively connected to the pistion-rod 25 of a motor-engine 26, carried on the main base 1, and which in the construction shown in the drawings is controlled by the operator through the instrumentality of a hand operating-lever 27, connected to the controlling-valve 28 of said engine.

The operation of the foregoing mechanism is as'follows': Assuming the parts to be in the position illustrated inFig. 1 of the drawings, with the top platen 9 in a position closing the top of the mold-cavity and with the pressplungers 6 having made their forward active or compression stroke, motive fluidl is admitted to motor-engine to force its piston and piston-rod 25 in a direction away fromthe center of the press. Vith the initial portion of such movement of the piston and pistonrod a rocking of the shaft 22 in the direction of the describ 3d movement takes place through the rock-arm 24, and an upward movement of the platen 9 is efected through the medium f of the crank-pins 23 and the vertical extensions 21 to release said platen from all frictional or surface engagement with the upper surfaces of the mold parts. Vi/vith a further and continued stroke of the piston and pistonrod of the motor-engine in the direction described the platen 9 is drawn into a position from over the mold-cavity to uncover the top of the same and permit of the ready removal of the pressed post or other article and the filling of the mold-cavity with a fresh charge of concrete material. The operator now reverses the controlling-valve 28y of the motorengine to cause a movement of the piston and piston-rod 25 in a direction toward the center of the press and move the carriages 20, with the platen 9, into a proper position above the molded cavity. With a further and final movement of said piston-rod a rocking of the IOO IIO

sions 21 to effect a substantially tight closure of the top of the mold-cavity of the press and to inclose therein the loose mass of concrete material which has been introduced into the moldcavity previous to the described mold-closing operation. rIhe press mechanism is novv in readiness for the active or pressure movements of the press-plungers 6 against the opposite sides of the concrete material to compact the same into a mass of the required size and shape and ready for a repetition of the cycle of movements above described.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a su pportin g'base,` a stationary mold-frame secured thereto, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said mold-frame, an Lipper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity and removable therefrom in aV horizontal direction, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, end walls for the incid-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

2. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supl'iorting-base, a stationary mold-:frame secured thereto, a pair of opposedl plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, end Walls for the mold-cavity and means for imparting,1 intermittent reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

3. In a concrete-molding' apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said'mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity and removable ltherefrom in a horizontal direction, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, end Walls for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting intermittent rcciprocation to the press-plungers the same comprising apair of driving-shafts journaled on the supporting-base and provided With crank-pins, and pitman connections the yolces of which are formed with oblong bearing-oriiices for the crank-pins, substantially as set forth.

1l. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a station ary mold-frame secured thereto, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said mold-frame,

an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the 1nold-cavity, means for imparting' independent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, end walls for the mold-cavity, and means for impartingI reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

5. In a concrete-moldingl apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a sup porting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said mold-frame, an upper platen spanning' said plu ngers to form a top closure for the molded cavity, means for imparting' independent vertical and horizontal movement to said platen, the saine comprising1 SoY one or more sliding' carriages carryingl said platen, a rock-shaft on said carriages having; operative connection with said platen, and a motor engine adapted to impart a rocking,1 movement to said shaft and a rcciprocation to said carriages, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, end Walls for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

6. In a concrete-molding' apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary moldframe secured thereto and provided with a vertical endl extension to form an end Wall for the moldcavity, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said mold-frame, an upper platen spanning' said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a moldpallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in lthe mold-frame and` provided with a vertical end, extension to constitute an end wall for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting' rcciprocation to the press-plungcrs,` substantially as set forth.

7. In a concrete-molding' apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of y a supporting-base, astationary mold-frame secured thereto and provided with a vertical end` extension to form an end Wall for the moldcavity, `a paiiI of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the p upper surface of said 'mold-frame, an upper platen spanning' said plungers vto form a top closure for the mold-cavity and removable therefrom in `a horizontal direction, a moldpallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise in` sertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, and means for im` IOC izo

parting intermittent reciprocation to the` a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame sea;

cured thereto and provided With a vertical end extension to form an end Wall for the moldcavity, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said mold-frame, an upper pla-ten spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a moldpallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting intermittent reciprocation to the press-plungers, the same comprising a pair of driving-shafts journaled on the supportinglbase and provided With crank-pins, and pitman connections the yokes of which are formed with oblong bearing-orifices for said crankpins, substantially as set forth.

9. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character hereindescribed, the combination of a supporting-base, a station ary mold-frame securec; thereto and provided with a vertical end extension to form an end Wall for the moldcavity, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surfaces of said mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form atop closure for the mold-cavity, means for imparting independent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for ,the mold-cavity, and means for imparting' reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

l0. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto and provided With a vertical end extension to form an end Wall for the mold-cavity,apair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of said mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a topv closure for the mold-cavity, means for imparting' independent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen,the same comprising one or more sliding carriages carrying said platen, a rockshaft on said carriages having operative connection With said platen, and a motor-engine adapted to impart a rocking motion to said shaft and a reciprocation to said carriages, a mold-pallet,a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end wall for the mold-cavity, and means for impart` ing reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

11. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base formed with journal-pedestals at each end and tied together by longitudinal series of upper and lower tie-rods, a stationary mold -frame secured to said base and provided Witha vertical end extension to form an end Wall for the mold-cavity, apair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the moldcavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a mold pallet, a pallet carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation to the pressplungers, substantially as set forth.

l2. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base formed With journal-pedestals at each end and tied together by longitudinal series of upper and lower tie-rods, astationary moldframe secured to said base and provided with a vertical end extension to form an end Wall for the mold-cavity, a pair of opposed plungers adapted to have movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the moldcavity, means for imparting independent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier capable of end- Wise insertion in the mold-frame and provided With a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation to the press-plungers', substantially as set forth.

13. Ina concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of Va supporting-base formed with journal-pedes- IOO posed plungcrs adapted to have movement to said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity, means for impartingindependent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen, the same comprising one or more sliding carriages carrying said platen, a rock-shaft on said carriages having operative connection with the-sai d platen, and amotor-en gine adapted to impart a rocking motion to said shaft and a reciprocation to said carriages, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold -frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation, substantially as set forth.

14. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, -a stationary mold-frame ITO secured thereto, a pair of opposed plungers formed with convex projections on their pressure-faces and' extending the length of the same, said plungers having movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the moldcavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, end Walls for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

l5. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto, a pair of opposed plungers formed with convex projections on their pressure-faces and extending the length of the same, said plungers having movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the moldcavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, cnd Walls for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting intermittent reciprocation to the press-plungers, the same comprising a pair of driving-shafts journaled on the supportingbase and provided with crank-pins, and pitman connections, the yoles of which are formed with oblong bearing-orifices for the crank-pins, substantially as set forth.

16. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto, a pair of opposed plungers formed with convex projections on their pressure-faces and extending the length of the same, said plungers having movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the moldcavity, means for imparting independent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier, end walls for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

17. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto and provided with a vertical end extension to form an end wall of the mold-cavity, a pair of opposed plungers formed with convex projections on their pressure-faces and extending the length of the same, said plungers having' movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation. to the pres. plungers, substantially as set forth.

18. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto and provided with a vertical end extension to form an end Wall of the moldcavity, a pair of opposed plungers form ed with convex projections on their pressure-faces and extending the length of the same, said plungers having movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for said mold-,cavity and removable therefrom in a horizontal direction, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier capable of end- Wise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, andv means for imparting intermittent reciprocation to the press-plungers, the same comprising a pair of driving-shafts journaled on the supportingbase and provided with crank-pins, and pitman connections the yokes of which are formed with oblong bearing-milices for the crankpins, substantially as set forth.

19. In a concrete-molding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of asupporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto and provided with a vertical end extension to form an end Wall of the moldcavity, a pair of opposed plungers formed vvith convex projections on their pressure-faces and extending the length of the same, said plungers having movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top closure for the mold-cavity, means for imparting independent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the mold-cavity, and means for imparting reciprocation to the press-plungers, substantially as set forth.

20. In a concrete-lnolding apparatus of the character herein described, the combination of a supporting-base, a stationary mold-frame secured thereto and provided W ith a vertical end extension to form an end Wall of the moldcavity, a pair of opposed plungers formed with convex projections on their pressure-faces and extending the length of the same, said plungers having movement to and from each other on the upper surface of the mold-frame, an upper platen spanning said plungers to form a top-closure for the mold-cavity, means for imparting independent vertical and horizontal movements to said platen, a mold-pallet, a pallet-carrier capable of endwise insertion in the mold-frame and provided with a vertical end extension to constitute an end Wall for the IOO IIO

mold-cavity, and means for imparting recip- Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this lst day'of rocation-to the press-plungers, the same comi September, 1903. plising a pair of driving-shafts journaled on GEORGE M GRAHAM the supporting-base and provided with crank- 5v pins, and pitman connections, the yokes of VitneSSes:

which are formed with oblong bearing-mili ces ROBERT BURNS, for the crank-pins, substantially as set forth. M. H. HOLMES. 

